Sculptra differs from other fillers. Let’s talk about how.
If you’re following any injector on social media, you’ve probably heard of Sculptra. Sculptra is renowned across the medical aesthetic community for its collagen-restoring abilities; in fact, Galderma (the brand behind Sculptra) boasts on Sculptra’s website that Sculptra “addresses the underlying cause of facial aging” rather than “ just the symptoms.”
But is there really such a thing as a collagen-building injectable elixir? Is this seemingly miraculous procedure worth the hype, or can you stick to your regular HA fillers and achieve the same results? Let me break it down so you can decide (with the help of your injector, of course!) if Sculptra is right for you.
What is Sculptra?
Sculptra is a biostimulatory injectable made of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a collagen-restoring substance. Sculptra stimulates your body’s natural collagen-production ability to rejuvenate your skin and correct fine lines and wrinkles in the treated area. I love Sculptra because it’s like naturally aging backward! No one can say for sure that you’ve had a cosmetic procedure done…they only know you look renewed and rejuvenated!
Let me be real: you won’t get immediate results with Sculptra as with hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers because Sculptra isn’t made of hyaluronic acid. But something incredible occurs instead: the PLLA in Sculptra stimulates the fibroblasts within your skin’s dermis to increase collagen production. Think of it like this: Sculptra triggers your body to make your own collagen-based filler!
A bonus win from Sculptra treatment is how fabulous your skin will look as collagen synthesis begins! This is the famous “Sculptra glow,” a natural complexion-perfecting boost that kicks in thanks to the revitalizing process.
What is collagen, anyway?
When we’re talking Sculptra, knowing the deets on collagen is the key; after all, maximizing your body’s ability to produce collagen is the benefit of the entire treatment! Collagen is a protein in the body that provides your skin with a supportive, structured foundation. It can also be found in your muscles, bones, organs, and connective tissues.
After we reach the age of about 20, we begin to lose about 1% of our body’s collagen per year. Collagen loss can be exacerbated by a variety of #skincaresins like:
- Excessive, unprotected UV exposure
- Not practicing proper daily skincare
- Smoking and drinking alcohol
- Poor diet lacking in nutrients, including vitamin C, zinc, copper, or magnesium
- Lack of essential fatty acids
- Not prioritizing sleep (the time when your body and skin repair themselves!) and exercise
Luckily, collagen CAN be restored with a combination of your awareness of the issues mentioned above plus professional treatments tailored to your concerns and goals. Sculptra is one of my favorite ways to take advantage of your body’s natural rejuvenation abilities, and the results are SO worth it! As your body begins to restore lost collagen, you’ll notice fewer fine lines and wrinkles and more plump and radiant skin overall.
How does Sculptra work?
When you receive a Sculptra injection, the initial volume increase in the area is primarily due to the saline and lidocaine mixed with the PLLA. This volume will be absorbed naturally by the body within a few days post-treatment, but that’s when the magic of the PLLA will begin to kick in and start its job of collagen-building, which will take place over the next few months.
As I mentioned, this means you won’t experience immediate gratification as you do with HA fillers, but what’s happening inside the deeper layers of your skin is a phenomenal process. The results are well worth the wait!
The PLLA molecules work within your skin’s dermis (the middle layer of your skin) to activate fibroblasts, which are your body’s collagen producers. The PLLA signals to your fibroblasts that it’s time to amp up collagen production. As the fibroblasts do their job, more collagen is produced, restoring your skin’s inner structure and volume.
Subtle volume restoration and shape will develop over the weeks to months post-treatment as your body creates new collagen in the treated area. Several procedure sessions are required (typically 3 injections over 3-4 months), but the results are long-lasting (think 2+ years!) and give that gorgeous, radiant glow!
Like most procedures I perform, the goal with Sculptra isn’t an immediate dramatic change. Sculptra will provide gradual, natural results that stand the test of time.
Who is Sculptra for?
Since we slowly begin to lose collagen in our 20s, I love starting my patients on Sculptra in their early 30s. This is the perfect time to start restoring collagen, so you maintain a youthful look while not looking like you had anything “done.”
The beauty of Sculptra is that it takes max advantage of your body’s innate restoration abilities. Since your body is beginning to re-produce its own collagen supply, you’re getting volume, skin thickness, and that gorgeous “collagen glow” all in one! Sculptra is great for those that potentially haven’t taken the best care of their skin in their 20s but are ready to start now.
We can kick-start the rejuvenation process with a series of Sculptra treatments and then perfect and maintain with ‘tox, a medical-grade skincare routine, microneedling, lasers, or other treatment modalities like facial or a professional peel. We have it all at CULT Aesthetics, and our staff is well-versed in collaborating to design the perfect treatment plan for YOU!
Resources
“Collagen: What It Is, Types, Function & Benefits.” Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23089-collagen.
Sculptra Aesthetic, https://www.sculptrausa.com/.
Varani, James, et al. “Decreased Collagen Production in Chronologically Aged Skin: Roles of Age-Dependent Alteration in Fibroblast Function and Defective Mechanical Stimulation.” The American Journal of Pathology, American Society for Investigative Pathology, June 2006, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1606623/.
Vitatree, director. YouTube, YouTube, 15 Jan. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBE095QI2bo.
